Old_Discussion_Posts

scox Dec 13, 2008 2:48 pm
The topic of feedback could be added. Many people think feedback means compliment/criticism, when in fact feedback has a specific scientific meaning.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feedback

scox Oct 13, 2009 11:24 am
Background
Some amazing monuments have been created in ancient history without the benefit of modern technology. How could they do it?

Assignment
Using only the materials provided, move the "obelisk" 0.50 m, and raise it in the new location.
**Prepare an explanation of how you were able to accomplish the task, OR why you were unable to accomplish the task!
References: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.energy.vegypt/

scox Oct 13, 2009 11:17 am
Introduction:
In the space below, place a screen shot from the video, "Raising the Maoi", and make a diagram of the lever that is being used, labeling the fulcrum, the effort, and the load. Use the line tools to label the direction of the forces and the magnitude of the distances.

scox Oct 13, 2009 11:14 am
Introduction: Throughout the ages, people have built spectacular artifacts. Some, like the Afghan Buddhas and Mount Rushmore, were made by chipping away at rocks that were already present. Others, like Stonehenge and the Easter Island heads, required materials that were transported great distances. Some of these treks were so impressive that they gave rise to myths of alien or supernatural assistance.

Assignment: Your job is to transport an obelisk 0.5 meters and raise it to a standing position, without touching the obelisk directly. You may use the materials provided to assist you, but the tools may only be used with one hand, and with at least one finger still touching the desk. When time is up, your group recorder will submit a written description of:
A: your plan for accomplishing the task;
B: challenges encountered along the way;
C: advice you would give to anyone beginning the task.
[delete]

Assignment: In your groups, visit the ten stations with an example of a simple machine. Try them out, without breaking them! When time is up, your group reporter should submit a description of the input and output motion for each. Look for similarities in the motion involved in these machines!

door knob
bottle opener
crank opener
gear box
pulley
wedge
top/spinner
[delete]

scox Oct 13, 2009 10:49 am
Try to engage the wheels/axles, gears, and levers of a VCR (unplugged, or course).
Trace the mechanism from the rotation of a motor through at least five simple machines.
Make a diagram of the simple machines involved in this chain of events, and describe them in "Rube Goldberg Style". (When you slip on ice, your foot kicks paddle (A), lowering finger (B), snapping turtle (C) extends neck to bite finger, opening ice tongs (D) and dropping pillow (E), thus allowing you to fall on something soft. --http://www.rube_goldberg.com)

scox Jul 2, 2009 2:26 pm
Develop a step-by-step set of procedures that would duplicate the methods you used in order to acquire data.

How did you set up the equipment?
How did you manipulate the tools?
To what precision did you read the scales?
What variations did you make in the conditions?

scox Dec 15, 2008 8:17 am
Some material needs to be migrated from EMInduction .